Experience with Centex homes? (Raleigh, Durham: real estate, attorney, new home)

[Auntie Jo]

For the record, that was meant for a private discussion with Not Happy About Centex out of the spirit of wanting to commiserate and I preferred not to share all of that publicly at this point - otherwise I would have posted it to the forum. Facts are facts (re: the greenspace), but we're still a good 6 weeks out from closing and we're hoping that they touch up some of the things that we saw before we do our actual walkthrough with them. And from what I understand, others who have been through this process have shared with me that the last month is when they do a lot of the detail work. So, while at this point, yes, there are things that we feel have been poorly executed, we're trying to reserve judgement until we see how the closing process goes.

We have no control over what they do with the green space, and I don't mind sharing that with everyone, but at this point, I don't feel like it's fair for me to fully assess their finish work until we do our final walkthrough - and also see how they are with their follow-through when we report issues.

Yes, we feel down about stuff right now, but, we are trying to reserve judgement and see how things go when we meet with the site supervisor before our closing. I also know that there are people who have had very positive experiences with Centex and have told us so. For us, we have a list of things that have been less than optimal from our experience and the real proof for us is going to be seeing how they handle the closing and what's it's like to be living there for a while. And in all honesty, I would challenge anyone to seek out someone who has encountered an issue-free construction process - whether with a national builder or an individual contractor.

I will say, that our experience with the site supervisor to date has been very positive and he has been excellent with his follow through.

I can't comment on living in the development yet. But I will absolutely share our experiences with you once we move in.

[OmegaBaby]

Originally Posted by Auntie Jo

For the record, that was meant for a private discussion with Not Happy About Centex out of the spirit of wanting to commiserate and I preferred not to share all of that publicly at this point - otherwise I would have posted it to the forum. Facts are facts (re: the greenspace), but we're still a good 6 weeks out from closing and we're hoping that they touch up some of the things that we saw before we do our actual walkthrough with them. And from what I understand, others who have been through this process have shared with me that the last month is when they do a lot of the detail work. So, while at this point, yes, there are things that we feel have been poorly executed, we're trying to reserve judgement until we see how the closing process goes.

We have no control over what they do with the green space, and I don't mind sharing that with everyone, but at this point, I don't feel like it's fair for me to fully assess their finish work until we do our final walkthrough - and also see how they are with their follow-through when we report issues.

Yes, we feel down about stuff right now, but, we are trying to reserve judgement and see how things go when we meet with the site supervisor before our closing. I also know that there are people who have had very positive experiences with Centex and have told us so. For us, we have a list of things that have been less than optimal from our experience and the real proof for us is going to be seeing how they handle the closing and what's it's like to be living there for a while. And in all honesty, I would challenge anyone to seek out someone who has encountered an issue-free construction process - whether with a national builder or an individual contractor.

I will say, that our experience with the site supervisor to date has been very positive and he has been excellent with his follow through.

I can't comment on living in the development yet. But I will absolutely share our experiences with you once we move in.

I definitely wouldn't worry about detail work if you're still a month from closing. During my walk-throughs, there were several walls that were obviously patched or redone for some reason. In the end, you cannot tell where they had to repatch. I'm impressed with how well it turned out, and I've done drywall work myself. The ceilings are perfectly smooth...I have to look closely to see where the seems are. My main worry was nail pops, since they seemed to work very quickly. I haven't seen any nail pops yet, but I've only been in my house for 3 months.

[Nelly622]

Not Happy with Centex...

What development do you live in? (Hope you don't mind me asking.)

[Auntie Jo]

Thanks Jbognar! We appreciate the feedback.

[gubben1]

I want to know what communities also, we might put some money down on a Centex home tomorrow .......

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by gubben1

I want to know what communities also, we might put some money down on a Centex home tomorrow .......

If you believe what folks are writing, do you really want to make such a serious financial decision and buy with them. What ever you like about the house can't be unique to Centex and if you have a problem it becomes a lousy investment and home. Buy with resale in mind and if people are saying they wouldn't buy a Centex home now will they when it comes time to sell? There is a reason why some homes stay on the market longer then others and why some get multiple bids.

[Tracy_Santrock]

I've sold Centex homes in the past. They are out of Dallas, Tx They've progressed as a builder in the area and the construction of the homes is some of the best for a national builder in the area. Highland Creek is a new subdivision and they are just getting started. It's hard to tell how the neighborhood will shape up but the entire East Raleigh area is experiencing high growth with the opening of the new leg of I540. Long-term I think it will be a good choice.

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by TuborgP

If you believe what folks are writing, do you really want to make such a serious financial decision and buy with them. What ever you like about the house can't be unique to Centex and if you have a problem it becomes a lousy investment and home. Buy with resale in mind and if people are saying they wouldn't buy a Centex home now will they when it comes time to sell? There is a reason why some homes stay on the market longer then others and why some get multiple bids.

On the other hand

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Centex Homes Receives Platinum Award for Excellence in Home Building and Ranks Highest in Customer Satisfaction in 14 U.S. Markets; Pulte Homes Ranks Highest in 11 Markets: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance (broken link)

Decisions Decisions, best of luck and personally I have heard great things about Centex including the above info.
I am a Powers fan

[DanielChang]

Originally Posted by Not happy about centex

Well...Centex told me I and all others had to sign an agreement to not rent out...neglecting to tell me they couldnt and wouldnt enforce that on me or others....and reassured us it would be a non rental neighborhood after we said that was a big reason we would buy the house....then the reality hit AFTER WE BOUGHT AND MOVED IN along with the transient atmosphere a rental neighborhood brings. Now theres a solid rumor this neighborhood will be " opened up to section 8 " renters. Who is to blame ? Whoever told a story to us and misled us.... end of story.

How can they enforce that agreement? What did you expect?

[saturnfan]

Centex townhome looked much better than Pulte but had such serious design errors that it made no sense at all.

I kept my $320K in the credit union and signed my fourth lease at Northridge Crossings.